River training walls to stabilise Chandrapadi fish landing centre works under way

Works to construct river training walls and upgrade the fish landing centre at Chandrapadi village in Tharangambadi taluk are progressing under the NABARD scheme at an estimated cost of ₹32 crore, aimed at ensuring year-round, safe access for fishing vessels and improving livelihoods in the coastal hamlet.

Chandrapadi, located about 35 km east of Mayiladuthurai, has a fishermen population of 2,895, operating 13 mechanised fishing vessels and 212 fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats. A fish landing centre built at a cost of ₹10 crore was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on August 20, 2024, with facilities including a 75-metre piled jetty, auction hall, net-mending shed, internal roads and dredging of the river mouth.

However, in the absence of river training walls, the bar mouth began accumulating sandbars, affecting navigation. Acting on representations from fishermen, the State government sanctioned ₹32 crore for the construction of training walls and further development of the landing centre. The works commenced on December 27, 2024.

The project includes construction of a 260-metre southern training wall and a 220-metre northern training wall, extension of the piled jetty by 60 metres, and dredging of about 96,250 cubic metres to stabilise the channel and improve vessel movement.

Officials said the upgraded infrastructure would enable fishermen to venture out to sea throughout the year, ensure safer berthing and landing of crafts, and reduce seasonal migration. The project is also expected to boost fish handling and exports, generate revenue for the government, and improve the socio-economic status of the fishing community.